How much does a recording studio cost?

The quality of the recording equipment often dictates the cost for audio recording sessions. The higher the quality of the equipment, the more a session will cost per hour. If you know you are ready to record some fabulous music but aren't familiar with how the equipment works, many recording studios also offer lessons on how to use their recording equipment. Smaller (professional) home-based studios might start at $25 per hour for the use of their space and equipment, while studio spaces with top-of-the-line equipment may start around $200 per hour. Singer-songwriters will often need less equipment than full bands. For example, Shine on Studios in Oakland, California, offers a two-hour recording package for $150 for a singer-songwriter recording session and work with a sound engineer. For full bands they offer a two-hour recording session for $220 with sound engineer. Generally speaking, recording studios have everything you need on hand to record, including digital audio workstations, reference monitors, virtual instruments, TASCAM microphone amps, mic stands and other studio equipment.

Larger recording studios may have different-sized rooms with varying recording and audio equipment and varying musical instruments available for use. Studio rental costs are typically higher for larger rooms with better equipment and nicer instruments. For example, The Abstract Recording Studios in Los Angeles offers its smallest room at the relatively low rate of an average of $25 per hour. Larger studio rooms can accommodate more musicians as well as providing better acoustics or catering to specific recording needs.

Some recording studios charge flat hourly rates without any time minimum or other requirements. The following examples of average flat hourly rates include studio time, pre-production, mixing and mastering:

• Simcha's Basement in Park Ridge, New Jersey: $25 per hour
• Indecent Music in Medford, Massachusetts: $45 per hour

Some studios charge additional fees beyond the cost of studio time for mastering recorded tracks. For example, Shine on Studios charges an average of $90 per hour with a two-hour minimum for studio time, while the studio's mastering services start at $99 for a tuneup and range up to $299 for six tracks, or up to 70 minutes of album time.

Recording studios may charge higher rates for signed artists than for independent artists who are paying for recording costs out of their own pocket. For example, the average $45-per-hour rate at Indecent Music is only for independent artists; rates for signed artists are negotiated on an individual artist basis and generally tend to be higher.

Also referred to as "location recording," mobile recording brings the studio to the client. Hiring the audio recording specialist to come to a location will usually increase the cost of services. For example, in comparison with its $45-per-hour studio time rate, Indecent Music charges the following averages for mobile recording services:

• First hour of recording, including setup and teardown: $200
• Additional hours of performance: $75 per hour
• Post-production editing, mixing and mastering: $55 per hour

For artists who are doing a lot of recording and remixing work, a membership may be an economical way to get ample time to record and stretch your creative wings without as many constraints. Recording studios may offer monthly memberships with tiered pricing to provide different levels of perks based on budget and need. Here are two examples of monthly membership costs from Shine on Studios (which offers a range of membership options):

Bronze Studio Membership is an average of $60 per month and includes:

• 2 songs mastered per month
• Additional songs mastered for $20 each
• Instrumental or performance track mastered
• Recording and mixing hours at $80 per hour
• Pro tools & audio lessons for $60 per hour
• Rehearsal time at the studio for $20 per hour
• Member-only benefits and special promotions
• Blog review for your single or album on the studio website

Gold Studio Membership is $420 per month and includes:

• 6 hours of studio time per month
• Additional hours at $75 per hour
• Free mastering services
• Online consulting
• Member-only benefits and special promotions
• Every 3 months we'll add 2 bonus hours to your account
• Blog review for your single or album on the studio website
• Pro tools & audio lessons for $40 per hour
• Rehearsal time at the studio at no additional charge

Studios that work with famous recording artists or that feature producers with top hits command higher fees than lesser-known studios without the fame factor. If you're dead set on working where Mick Jagger and Justin Timberlake are recording their latest tracks, you'll need to pay for the privilege. For example, an hour or two of recording time at the famous Abbey Road Studios can start in the thousands, just for the space.

Musicians or vocal artists can buy multiple-day sessions or large blocks of time to be used as scheduled over a period of days or weeks. Purchasing studio time in bulk upfront can sometimes cost less per hour.

Talk with the studio about your long-term goals. If you plan to record multiple songs over months, they may cut you a reduced rate if you agree to purchase a set number of hours upfront. Ask if they have lower rates for holidays or non-peak recording hours. You can also ask if they will put you on a call list; some recording studios may offer you reduced rates if you're ready to fill an otherwise empty slot when another artist cancels at the last minute. Don't be afraid to create a budget with your recording studio. According to The Abstract Recording Studios in Los Angeles, many recording studios will work creatively with independent artists to help them accomplish their projects, and have smaller studio spaces that can work for people who are just starting out.

Some studios have a minimum recording time requirement, which will affect the overall cost. For example, Songwriters Recording Studio in Knoxville, Tennessee, has a two-hour minimum, regardless of the time needed, and the entirety of the fee must be paid in full upfront.